13 Covered Patio Ideas for Your Yard

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Building a patio — or updating your current one — is an excellent way to add more living space to your home. And if the patio is covered, you can enjoy the space more often. Whether you want an outdoor space to entertain friends or an area to enjoy a glass of wine al fresco after a long day of work, a covered patio is a great option. In this post, we highlight some of our favorite covered patio ideas that are sure to inspire. 

Wondering how a patio differs from a porch or portico? Check out our exterior design dictionary. 

When it comes time to update your covered patio, switch the paint color on your home’s exterior, or make another update to your house, don’t go it alone. Our team of expert designers is here to help. Learn more about our virtual exterior design services.

Rendering of a covered patio idea in a home's backyard

#1 // Bright and Airy Patio Space

While this home already had a covered patio area, it was quite dark and uninviting. Replacing the old covering with a modern pergola brightens up the space and allows the homeowners to enjoy both sun and shade. A cozy seating area around the outdoor fireplace and a dining table make this backyard patio perfect for entertaining.

A backyard featuring a pool and covered patio

#2 // Poolside Covered Patio

Pool party, anyone? This large covered patio offers the homeowners some shade after going for a swim. This design actually features multiple covered spaces — the large area directly outside the doors into the home, the dining area under a pergola to the left, and the lounge chairs shaded with an umbrella to the right. 

A before and after photo of a covered patio

#3 // Elevated Outdoor Entertaining Space

Our designers transformed this dining area into an elevated space to entertain guests. The gorgeous gable patio cover is the focal point of this backyard hardscape. We especially love the built-in pendant light, which makes it easy to host dinner parties well into the night.   

A virtual rendering of a home's exterior featuring a covered patio

#4 // Partially Covered Patio

This modern sitting patio feels like an extension of the home’s living room. The covered area offers shade, while the uncovered portion is a great place to soak up the sun. The concrete planter box that outlines the covered patio helps separate it from the rest of the yard and creates a defined space to sit back and relax.

Virtual rendering of a home's backyard with outdoor dining space

#5 // Pergola to Peaked Patio

This unique design features a pergola-and-patio combination that frames the kitchen’s bay windows. Recessed lighting, a fan, and plush furniture make this space feel like a cozy outdoor living room.

A rendering of a home's exterior

#6 // Front Yard Lounge Area

Our designers made great use of this front yard space by creating a laidback lounge area covered by a pergola. The patio area feels open to the rest of the yard, but a long concrete fence offers privacy and separation too.

#7 // Covered Patio and Screened-In Porch Combo

Why settle for one great outdoor space when you can have two? This design features a screened-in porch area to the left and a patio to the right that’s shaded with a large umbrella. Both spaces are well defined and offer varying levels of protection from the elements.

Rendering of a home's exterior with covered front patio

#8 // Covered Patio Surrounded by Greenery

From the Corten steel planters to the foliage lining the walkway, this covered patio is surrounded by gorgeous greenery. The landscaping not only boosts the home’s curb appeal but also offers a bit of privacy to anyone sitting on the patio. We love the way our designers seamlessly incorporated the patio into this front yard hardscape.

Rendering of a multi-level covered patio

#9 // Covered Patio and Balcony Combo

This design features a covered patio with a balcony — also partially covered with an umbrella — on top of it. The balcony and columns are painted with Benjamin Moore’s Swiss Coffee to match the stucco and trim, making the patio area seem like an extension of the home. Wood and stone accents add texture and visual interest to the space. 

Rendering of a backyard outdoor space perfect for entertaining

#10 // Defined Dining Space

Adding a pergola above the dining table creates a defined space for mealtime. The wood pergola complements the wood table and chairs and adds to the warm, inviting feel of this cozy backyard. It also acts as a great place to hang planters! 

Rendering of a backyard featuring a large covered patio

#11 // Big Backyard Patio

This covered patio takes up most of this home’s backyard — offering plenty of shade and protection from the elements. Stone accents on the columns match the fireplace, and the wood adds warmth to this cozy outdoor lounge area.

A backyard with a large covered patio

#12 // Mix Textures

This deep covered patio offers plenty of protection from the elements and space to relax. It’s well integrated with the rest of the home and overlooks the spacious backyard. We love the mixture of textures used in this space, too. The metal roof, wood siding, and white-painted brick come together to create an eye-catching entertaining space. 

A covered patio with plenty of entertaining space

#13 // Add a Covered Patio

This home’s original patio area was small, uncovered, and not very functional, so our designers extended it with beautiful stone pavers and added a large covering. Now the space features multiple seating areas and plenty of usable space to relax and entertain.

A covered backyard patio that runs the length of the house

Considering a Covered Patio?

Covered patios are a great space in which you can do a whole range of activities, from hosting dinner parties and happy hours to relaxing in the shade after a dip in the pool. We hope this roundup of covered patio ideas has inspired you to create the outdoor living space of your dreams.

Ready to take your covered patio ideas and bring them to life? We’ve got the expertise and skills to help make it happen. Get started on your exterior design project today.

Author

Britteny has worked as a professional writer and editor for more than a decade. She launched her career as a features writer in New York City, covering fashion, food & beverage, and hospitality. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including International Business Times, Glam, Thirsty Mag, and Cardinal & Pine and has worked with famous faces such as Kate Upton and Nigel Barker throughout her career. Britteny has been covering the exterior home design industry as a writer for brick&batten for almost two years. Britteny splits her time between New York City, her home state of Michigan, and Caye Caulker, a small island off the coast of Belize in Central America. When she’s not writing or editing, Britteny can be found at the beach or in the kitchen testing out vegan recipes.